The Excel Hull Stingrays made hard work of a resilient Edinburgh Capitals side in the first period of the penultimate fixture of their 10/11 EIHL campaign tonight before eventually overcoming the Elite League's bottom side by eight goals to one.
In front of a very healthy crowd of 1116 at the Hull Arena, the Stingrays took control of the game early on as expected, pressurising the four import Capitals into their own end for the opening stages of the game.
The Rays were found guilty of passing rather than shooting on a number of ocassions, most notably in the first but also right throughout the game, and despite continuous pressure they could not put their advantage on the board although their opening goal did seem more a matter of when and not if.
After a number of opportunities on the counter attack against the run of play the Caps then took a surprise lead on a powerplay goal swept home by man of the match defenceman Kyle Horne after 13.24,.
That goal thankfully woke the Rays up offensively and, after a momentary panic that they may become the Capitals first victim in 27 games, Jereme Tendler replied on a simple break to level the scores little more than a minute later.
Nevertheless, with the frustrating first period out of the way, the Rays capitalised on their first chance of the second period, taking the lead through Andrew Coburn just 26 seconds in as the floodgates finally threatened to open for the home side.
The Stingrays then caught Capitals netminder Jens Van Poucke out of his net and, despite missing their original chance, inadvertently allowing the keeper back into his net, finally scrapped the puck home via the stick of Jason Silverthorn for a 3-1 lead after 14.57.
Konstantin Kalmikov unleashed his classic shot to extend his sides lead much to the surprise of Van Poucke before Coburn netted his second after selfless play from Brit Lee Esders to set the rookie up for a 5-1 lead heading into the third.
Sylvain Cloutier's side then rounded the game off with a comfortable third period, in which they tried their best to set up Tendler for his 50th of the season and Coburn for his first ever professional hat-trick.
While Coburn will have to wait a little longer for his first trio of goals, Tendler - who ended the game with four points - sealed a remarkable of a century of goals 40 minutes and 48 seconds into his 58th game of the season with his 16th powerplay marker of the season.
Lee Esders then bagged a deserved goal after yet more hard work from Coburn before Silverthorn became the third Stingray to double up, scoring against his former side with a shot in off the post on 15.34 to round the score off a 8-1.
The Stingrays form heading into tomorrow's game with Nottingham and, more importantly, next weekend's playoff quarter final is less than convincing, as was this win, their second win in two weeks over Edinburgh, who are the only side the Rays have beaten in their run of five games in two weeks. Still, a win is a win and tomorrow's fixture with the Panthers may be a better gauge as to where the club is heading into the playoffs after heavy defeats to Braehead, Cardiff and Coventry in recent weeks.
Their opponents in that quarter final remain unknown, as does the destination of the 10/11 Elite League title, with first placed Sheffield, second placed Cardiff - who trail the Steelers on just games won - and third placed Belfast all winning tonight. That trio of wins leaves the championship's destiny in Sheffield hands as a win over Braehead tomorrow night, who they beat tonight 5-1, will seal their third Elite League title since 03/04.
If they slip up then the title will instead be on its way to Wales via Scotland as the Devils take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield in what will, or at least should be, a routine win for Gerad Adams men. Belfast do trail a point behind in third, however, they require a win in Coventry over the Blaze and both the Steelers and Devils to lose, which is highly unlikely.
Either way, the Stingrays opponent in the playoff is, as yet, unknown as they await to face the outcome of the title race with the loser in that race having to regroup ahead of next weekend's two legged playoff first round.
On tonight's evidence though, they may have to improve somewhat significantly if they want to progress past the quarter finals and into the club's first ever appearance at the EIHL Playoff Weekend in Nottingham, where the semi's and final takes place over two days.
Sylvain Cloutier's 10/11 Stingrays close their regular season tomorrow night against the Nottingham Panthers (6pm), who are guaranteed a 4th place finish this season and playoff fixture with ownership rivals Braehead Clan.
Rays Rating
7
FBB Three Stars
1- Jereme Tendler (2+2)
2- Andrew Coburn (2+0)
3- Jason Silverthorn (2+1)
